Sugarboy Talks ‘Hola-Hola’ Success, International Collaborations And More

Singer Sugarboy has finally broken into the mainstream industry, and he’s ready to make his mark on Nigerian music.

Previously known as Sugarboy A1, the singer, whose real name is Umoren Akan Felix, in an exclusive interview with 360Nobs, spoke about his career so far and his ongoing journey to stardom.

A very confident person, her revealed he dropped the A1 behind his name because his music was outstanding enough.

“In the early part of my career, Sugarboy used to be my alias with A1 meaning “outstanding”,” he said. “I dropped it because I have rebranded after being signed to G-Worldwide Entertainment. I realized I’m already outstanding in my craft, so I don’t necessarily have to add the A1 for people to know. I’ll rather let my music spell out the invisible outstanding grade “A1″ to the world.”

Sugarboy has been known to music heads in Nigeria as far back as 2010, with songs like Let’s Get Down with Shank andBad Man with Modenine. He however didn’t get his mainstream breakthrough till he signed with G-Worldwide.

He revealed, “I met Emperor Geezy, the CEO of G-Worldwide sometime in 2012 and have kept close ties and been a team player. He loved and believed in my talent and finally decided to help the Ghetto boy. Sugarboy got officially signed in January 2015 as a recording/Performing Artiste to the Label GWW.”

With the success of Hola-Hola, Sugarboy is keen to contribute to the worldwide progress of Afrobeat music. He also praised singers like Wizkid and Kiss Daniel, who have released multiple hit Afrobeat singles that have become hits worldwide.

Looking at the long-term, Sugarboy has planned his debut album for 2017, and has expressed his desire to work with a couple of industry veterans.

“I’m already in the studio working tirelessly to satisfy my fans. Sugar Fans should expect jaw-dropping records. I am coming with all the anthems.” He added that he’d most likely feature singer 2Face on the album, and he’s looking towards producers like DJ Coublon, Shizzy and Masterkraft to produce songs off the album.

It’s become a trend for Nigerian acts to seek collaborations with foreign acts, and Sugarboy has teased that he might one day drop a hit with an international superstar. He says, “You might wake up one morning and see a Sugarboy tune Featuring Sean Paul or Pitbull. God-willing, and with the continuous support of the fans, we are winning.”

With his fast-growing profile, Sugarboy is getting used to life as a celebrity, and is loving it. “Being a celebrity, I like the attention but also some freedom has been sold in exchange, I guess,” he says. “So far I have been handling it quiet well and learning the trade on a daily basis. Hence, I don’t really hate anything.”